Sponsorship Licence Experts | Skilled Worker (Tier 2)
The corporate immigration team at Branch Austin McCormick based in central London focuses on securing sponsorship licences for entities ranging from start-up to larger multi-jurisdictional companies. Branch Austin McCormick is listed in the Legal 500 Directory and is registered with the Department for International Trade.
Owing to the global nature of the employment market for companies across the industry spectrum, it is imperative that organisations are able to hire employees from all over the world, particularly where the skillset of an individual is linked to the success and growth of a company.
Our team advise company owners and HR departments on the migration of their workforce and we develop a bespoke legal solution based upon your individual needs.
The Home Office and the UK government constantly change the law, legislation and policy for employers who employ staff from abroad. As a result, the corporate immigration field in the UK is complex and, in many cases, unclear. The UK Home Office devolve power to companies to self-regulate their licence to employ individuals from outside of the UK. However, this has led to entities being unaware of the relevant process, as well as key changes in the law and has meant many entities have failed to comply with the applicable legislation.
What is a sponsorship licence?
A company must hold a sponsorship licence to hire most types of workers from outside of the UK. A company must make an application to the Home Office to secure a UK visa sponsorship licence.
Under the UK’s points-based immigration system, the common visa routes for non-UK residents working in the UK are:
- The skilled worker visa (the successor to the Tier 2 visa);
- The ICT (intra-company transfer visa); and
- The Tier 5 (temporary worker) visa.
In order to employ workers pursuant to the above visa routes, the employer must apply to the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) for a sponsorship licence.
The Home Office will only grant a sponsor licence to an entity that can demonstrate the roles for which they are recruiting and the employees who they intend to sponsor. They must meet the mandatory immigration requirements. The entity must also ensure that they have effective HR systems in place that comply with sponsorship compliance requirements.
Skilled worker sponsorship changes from 2021
The end of EU free movement and subsequent changes to the UK immigration rules mean that as of the 1st January 2021, all EU and non-EU nationals who wish to enter the UK to work must be sponsored by a licensed employer holding a sponsorship licence.
Please note, EU nationals who are already resident in the UK on or before the 31st December 2020 will not need to be sponsored under a sponsorship licence in order to work in the UK. They should ensure that they register under the EU Settlement Scheme by the 30th June 2021 to retain their lawful right to remain in the UK following Brexit.
How Branch Austin McCormick will represent you in acquiring your sponsorship licence (skilled worker).
A free initial call with our legal team.
This will enable us to understand your prospective case, its merits and the precise requirements for your business.
A Partner-led service.
Experienced solicitors and case managers in our corporate immigration department lead your case: this ensures that you receive an in-depth advice on your case and a clear case strategy to secure the licence.
Extensive technical experience and knowledge of the law.
The immigration lawyers in our corporate immigration department are experienced on the technicalities of a sponsorship licence based upon our years of experience within the field.
We act for a number of entities and manage their licences on their behalf year-round. Consequently, we are always at the forefront of any changes in the law and are quick to deploy solutions for our clients, to ensure your ongoing compliance.
We are thorough and always go the extra mile for our clients.
We provide astute and practical legal advice whilst also ensuring our clients applications are prepared to the highest of standards.
We project manage your case and provide an end-to-end service.
We operate a streamlined process – we are aware our clients have time constraints that they must adhere to, so we ensure applications run efficiently. Our service turnaround time is timely and stress-free.
We can expedite your case with the Home Office.
Frequently, our clients require a licence on an urgent basis. In these cases we are well adept at preparing applications on an expedited basis and can use the Home Office priority service option, should you require it.
At the point of your initial enquiry, we usually liaise with you on a telephone call, zoom meeting or a meeting at our office. Learn about our approach
Our ongoing sponsor licence services in London
HR Departments Corporate Immigration Partner
- Post Brexit-era advice for your entity.
- Applying for a sponsorship licence.
- Astute legal advice on eligibility of prospective employees.
- Applications to hire and retain employees.
- Reputation protection.
- Mitigating employment proceedings.
- Audit and compliance.
- Avoiding criminal offence and civil penalties.
Our Clients
As we are a full-service practice, we advise corporate clients and companies on immigration solutions for their workforce in the United Kingdom. We have particular experience in developing a customized strategy specific to our clients needs. This includes entities who have offices across the world and require movement between their offices.
Our sponsorship licence expertise ranges from a wide range of industries. As a result we already possess commercial awareness and knowledge of different industries – this is integral when advising companies on their licence and their employees.
Our team have acted for clients in industries including:
- High Fashion Designers
- Media
- Banking, Finance & Hedge funds
- Legal
- Professional Services
- Marketing and PR
- FinTech
- Technology
- IT
- Hospitality and Boutique Hotels
- Oil & Gas and Renewable Energy
- Sports & Leisure including sportspersons
- Creative & Design
Branch Austin McCormick work with highly regarded international brands and companies and are trusted advisors providing a bespoke legal service. Our pre-existing knowledge and experience with handling licences over the years means we are able to provide concise, practical and clear advice to our clients which also enables us to retain a very high rate of success for our clients applications.
What is the skilled worker sponsor licence process?
The application process as of 1st January 2021 introduces several useful changes. Firstly, there is no longer a requirement to carry out the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT).
Applications for a sponsorship licence can now only be made online via the Home Office portal. The applying business should ensure that they select the relevant categories of licence their required.
It is important to adduce the specific supporting documentation to adhere to the immigration rules. The documentation required depends on the type of business and years of establishment. Our corporate team provide a bespoke list of documents required, specific to your case.
The applying business should identify the vacancies that they intend on filling as well as the specific role, minimum salary and relevant experience required to ensure a prospective candidate is suitable.
What should I do now?
Speak to our team of specialist corporate immigration lawyers who can assist your company with the acquisition, management and maintenance of your licence at a reasonable fixed fee.
